My mission is for all my students to enjoy, understand, and play music independently for the rest of their lives. I work to foster creative and versatile musicians by focusing on excellent technique, reading skills, and music fundamentals. These are the tools that enable students to express their musical intentions and follow any musical path they choose. I teach the skills of each piece, not just “note rote.” We look for patterns and listen critically. We build strength, good posture, and agility with technical exercises. Lessons are personalized and age/level appropriate. ​Community, playing in ensemble, and cooperation are vital parts of music-making. I actively support my students' efforts to share their music with their friends and community in a number of ways. As a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California, students have the opportunity to participate in the rigorous Certificate of Merit curriculum, Associated Board of the Royal School of Music Exams, community recitals, school talent shows, and more. Additionally, we gather for a fun and supportive studio class three times per year, and for a festive recital to celebrate each pianist's hard work in the spring.

Get to know kate

Kate Campbell loves making weird and beautiful sounds on the piano so much, she has made a career out of it. She is passionate about a music community that includes illustrious colleagues, composers from around the globe, and beloved neighborhood students and families. She is also passionate about sharing what hooked her on piano lessons in the first place — not overnight success, but the magic of making the impossible possible, and the joy of mastery paired with creativity.​Kate performs frequently with quite a few Bay Area ensembles (more about that here). She has served on the faculty of Crowden Music Center, San Francisco Community Music Center, and Westminster Conservatory in New Jersey. At the collegiate level, she has taught at Mills College and the University of San Francisco. When not teaching or practicing, Kate enjoys hiking, yoga, and writing funny poems with her young daughter.

FAQ

What is a typical lesson like?

Each lesson includes:

A warm-up with technical exercises and activities

Play what was assigned for at-home practice

Work on new pieces or build on current pieces by reading together, finding patterns, and practicing the building blocks of that piece

Theory and ear-training activity relevant to current repertoire

I generally follow a curriculum designed by Music Teachers' Association of California, and I individualize it for each student.

What is expected in terms of practice?

Playing piano is a physical, mental, and emotional exercise. Often for students, physical mastery demands most of our attention. We learn and get better at any physical activity through repetition. In this way, things that are hard become easy, and then become second nature, week after week. Meanwhile, research shows that the feeling of progress is deeply linked to one's enjoyment of an activity.

The practice assignment is fine-tuned to the student and to the strengths and struggles of that day's lesson. It is designed to be specific, efficient, and broken into manageable steps. By following it, material that is difficult will become easy.

We didn't practice much this week.

Not to worry. Is your practice routine generally working out? Then you're all good, we'll review & refresh material in the lesson and work out a strategy for the coming week. If this is a continuing struggle, see 'Getting the Most out of Lessons' below for some ideas and strategies to work practice into daily life more seamlessly.

Are parents expected to stay for lessons?

It is up to you! If you are unsure, my advice is not to stay, as children tend to be more creative and focused with fewer adult observers. Use the time to go for a walk or relax. With that said, parents are most welcome to stay, as is the occasional guest such as a visiting grandparent.

(A note about guests: the one type of guest that is not allowed is the school friend / play date. It is unfortunately always a distraction, and I have not entered into agreement with that child's parents that I will be in charge of their child for any period of time. A visiting child should stay with the adult during the lesson.)

What is studio class?

Studio class is an informal gathering for students only (not their grown-ups). It happens three Saturdays per year. It is a way for us to practice performing for one another in a casual and supportive setting, as well as a way for us to build our community of pianists. Each studio class has a theme that engages the student-audience and supports each student. This has become one of the most popular and beloved aspects lessons.

Is the recital required?

I strongly encourage your participation in the recital! This is a chance for us all to celebrate the hard work of the students. It is a festive, happy event, full of heartfelt performances. Students who opt out of the recital are missing out on a meaningful milestone. I never put a student in the position of performing something that is not 100% comfortable and ready. While I push students to do their best throughout the year, I do not use the recital as a strategy to force practice. We simply choose our favorite music and share it.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LESSONS

THE BENEFITS OF A GOOD PRACTICE HABIT​Mastery leads to creativity.Playing piano is a physical, mental, and creative exercise. Regular practice (including repetition) leads to physical mastery, which in turn allows us to express our musical ideas. The purpose of building good technique is so that fingers can leap and fly through a new piece of music.

Growth leads to enjoyment.Research shows that one of the best indicators of enjoyment of a new activity is the feeling of growth. Students who practice regularly stay in the zone of being able to master each assignment, and they enjoy piano because they feel they are excelling.

A good practice habit will follow you for the rest of your life!​Learning the habit of practice is one of the very best effects of piano lessons. Practice makes the impossible possible, a little bit at a time. This is a habit that will benefit your child far beyond music lessons.

Practice Strategies

Include practice in a homework or reward chart

Refer to the assignment book, which breaks practice into manageable steps

When possible, find a similar time each day to help make it routine

Parents, help protect that time and reserve it for practice!

If part of the assignment feels too hard, check again to see what parts you can do.

Play for friends and family often!

STREAMLINE LESSONS WITH YOUR LIFEI encourage you to spend a few minutes customizing your My Music Staff Account. This will save time and effort all year. (I say this as a parent who really resists extra clicks and paperwork! I can attest that this will save time!) Here are some ways you can make My Music Staff fit with your life:

Automate payments

Set text or email reminders according to your preference

Sync your child’s lesson calendar with your own

Bookmark an at-a-glance dashboard that shows the most relevant information​